Predicting Atlanta United’s starting 11 vs. Toronto

Who will start for Atlanta United in Wednesday’s game against Toronto at Mercedes-Benz Stadium?

Atlanta United (3-3-2) has won two consecutive games and is starting to resemble the team that last season won the MLS Cup.

Toronto (5-2-1) is a team that is a bit of an enigma to me, but keeps grinding out positive results. It is also a team that Atlanta United has yet to defeat, with one infamous loss and three ties.

I think it likely that Atlanta United manager Frank de Boer is going to stick with most of the players that led the way in last week’s 3-0 win against Sporting KC. So, that is going to be the basis for the formation selection and players who I think will start Wednesday.

Here we go:

Goalkeeper Brad Guzan

Right fullback Franco Escobar.

Centerback Miles Robinson.

Centerback Leandro Gonzalez Pirez. I think he and Robinson will again form the heart of the defense in case Jozy Altidore does return from his injury to play for Toronto

Left fullback Brek Shea. I think he will get the start after being replaced by Michael Parkhurst against Sporting KC. Shea’s speed may be a better fit for dealing with Toronto’s Alejandro Pozuelo, who has four goals and six assists.

Defensive midfielder Eric Remedi. I think he is playing too well to take out of the lineup.

Defensive midfielder Darlington Nagbe. He has been exceptional this season.

Wide midfielder Julian Gressel. He’s not going to come out of the lineup.

Wide midfielder Hector Villalba. He will come in for Ezequiel Barco, who will miss the next few weeks while with the Argentina U-20 national team in the World Cup in Poland.

Attacking midfielder Pity Martinez. I thought he looked as comfortable as he has all season in the win against Sporting KC.

Striker Josef Martinez. He scored two goals against Sporting KC. He tends to score in bunches.

So, I think that Michael Parkhurst, who needs a rest after working his tail off against Sporting KC, and Jeff Larentowicz won’t be in this lineup, but I do think you are going to see them rotated to the upcoming games as the minutes and travel start to pile up.